Prey attack, food preference and growth in juveniles of the edible muricid snail, Chorus giganteus

• Published in: Aquaculture Vol. 174; no. 1; pp. 69 - 79
• Main Authors: Gutiérrez, R.M, Gallardo, C.S
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 15.04.1999; Elsevier Science; Elsevier Sequoia S.A
• Subjects: Animal aquaculture; Animal productions; Aquaculture; Biological and medical sciences; Chile; Chorus; Chorus giganteus; Food preference; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Gastropod; Growth; Invertebrate aquaculture; Mollusca; Mollusks; Muricacean; Perumytilus purpuratus; Physical growth; Predation; Prey attack; Semimytilus algosus; Prey attack; Chorus; Growth; Gastropod; Muricacean; Chile; Food preference; Marine environment; Diet; Body size; Shellfish breeding; Gastropoda; Invertebrata; Mollusca; Foraging behavior; Young animal; Feeding; Prey selection
• ISSN: 0044-8486; 1873-5622
• DOI: 10.1016/S0044-8486(98)00497-9

Chorus giganteus is a marine snail with potential in aquaculture or sea-farming. Considering predictions of optimal foraging, the aim of this study was to identify the preferred prey and to determine the extent to which this preferred prey promotes a higher rate of growth. Prey handling mechanisms, prey preference and resulting growth were assessed by offering C. giganteus the mussels Semimytilus algosus and Perumytilus purpuratus as alternative prey items. Juvenile snails of two size classes were used to assess handling behaviour and prey preference. Experimental treatments included mixed ( S. algosus–P. purpuratus) as well as pure diets. A tendency to drill the prey shell, instead of using pedal handling, was observed in smaller snails (6–8 mm), while among larger snails (10–12 mm), the handling mechanism depended upon the prey species offered. Shell drilling was used more frequently to feed on P. purpuratus; in contrast, pedal handling was clearly favored when feeding on S. algosus. S. algosus was significantly preferred as prey (Quade test, T=30.51; K1=1 and K2=8; P<0.01), and the growth thus obtained was significantly higher than with P. purpuratus as prey.